30 Day Baseball Card Challenge

Friday, August 11, 2017

Not Quite Mickey

The 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle is one of the most iconic and recognizable cards in our hobby, which has made the 1952 Toppsdesign itself popular. As a public school teacher living in one of the most expensive areas in the United States, it's not really realistic or sensible for me to even think about owning a copy. But I thought it'd be cool to own at least one card from that set and as luck would have it... there are over 400cards outside of Mickey to choose from.Back in the 80's, when I first started collecting, my aunt took me to a sports memorabilia store and allowed me to pick a card for my collection. I decided to go with the Andy Pafko on the recommendation of the store employee. It was the first and until recently the only1952 Toppsbaseball card to grace my collection. I'm kind of embarrassed to admit this, but I traded it for a 1987 Fleertin set and some rookie cards. It's obviously one of the worst trades I've ever made, but it is what it is.Three decades later, Tony over at Off Hiatus Baseball presented all of us with his 30 Day Baseball Card Challenge. The 18thchallenge is to show off a card of a player who became manager of your favorite team.This motivated me to look for a Billy Martincard from his playing years, which led me to his 1952 Toppsrookie card. Unfortunately... that card isn't exactly cheap. So I turned to another guy who managed a favorite team of mine and ended up purchasing this card on COMC:

1952 Topps #237

The card itself is pretty beat up. It's creased all over and has a small tear. Normally this would really bother me, especially since I've really been interested in buying graded vintage cards as of late. However it was very affordable ($2.65) and I fell in love with this card as soon as I saw it. This card has character. It looks and feels like what I envision a 1952 Toppsbaseball card to be like.Best of all... it features a true San Diego Padreslegend.Most people know Coleman for his days in the Padresbroadcasting booth. But back in 1980 he managed the team for a single season. His team won five of the first six games of the season, but by the end of May they never reached the.500mark again.

Coleman returned to the broadcasting booth the following season. According to this article, he believed that managing the ball club for that single season was the best thing that ever happened to him. His managing experience helped him understand a different side of the game, which enabled him to be a better broadcaster.In 2005, Coleman received the Ford C. Frick Award which is given annually by the National Baseball Hall of Fame to a broadcaster for their contributions to the game. Sadly he passed away in 2014 at the age of 89.As of right now, I don't really have any immediate plans to add more 1952 Toppsbaseball cards to my collection. But that's okay. I'm content with owning this amazing piece of cardboard.Happy Friday and sayonara!

That's a cool card! Almost looks like a puzzle piece has been slightly misplaced where the tear is. Can you imagine all the fun this card went through to arrive in its present condition? There are some good short stories and maybe a novel wedged in those creases.

$2.65 for a 52Topps card is a great deal in any condition. It might not be a Mickey but it's a Yankee and a HOFer! My friend had a beat up Gene Woodling 52 in his collection about 20-25 years ago and I remember it like it was my own card. If I were to buy a "cheap" 52 I think I'd get that one.

About Me

I've been collecting cardboard off and on since the early 80's. I'm presently collecting. But who knows what the future holds in store for me.
One thing is for certain... I'll have my blog to help relive some of my favorite hobby moments.